Yard waste collection device

ABSTRACT

A yard waste collection device having an integral body, handle, and hardware for securing a leaf bag. The integral body has a substantially planar base, a first side wall, a second side wall, and a posterior opening. Leaves and grass clippings can be raked or swept into the integral body and through the posterior opening. A lawn or leaf bag, held in place by the hardware, collects the leaves.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application is a continuation of U.S. Nonprovisional Utilitypatent application Ser. No. 15/207,038, filed Jul. 11, 2016, andentitled, “YARD WASTE COLLECTION DEVICE,” which is incorporated hereinby reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to the classification of Handling: Hand andHoist-line Implements. Specifically, this invention is a hand-held yardwaste collection device.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

A combined internet search for “yard waste” and “back pain” generatesover one million (1,000,000) hits. Chiropractors, orthopedic doctors,laser spine institutes, landscape maintenance services, and a host ofother interested stakeholders all discuss “yard waste” and “back pain”together, with many professing cures for the back pain caused bycollecting yard waste. The obvious reason for so many results is thatcollecting yard waste causes back pain for a large proportion of thepopulation.

Those who perform yard work are well aware of the difficulties typicallyencountered when manually collecting leaves and other light debris, andplacing them into plastic bags. There are a few common methods forcollecting leaves and other yard waste. First, a person holds a plasticbag open with one hand while the plastic bag rests on the ground, anduses the other hand to rake leaves and waste into the bag. This usuallyrequires stooping to hold the bag open, and “choking-up” on the rake toget reasonable leverage with only one hand. Second, two peopleparticipate: one holds the bag, the other rakes the leaves into a pileand picks up the pile, placing it in the bag. One person repeatedlystoops and the other person holds the bag for a prolonged period oftime. Third, a person uses a specialty implement to help collect leaves.For example, an open bottom barrel can be placed in an open trash bag tomake the single person process easier. The problem with the open bottombarrel and other specialty implements is that they do not eliminatestooping and straining while collecting leaves.

In the past, a considerable amount of yard waste was burned. In recentyears, many jurisdictions have imposed bans on burning yard waste. Moreand more jurisdictions have imposed restrictions that require residentsto separately bag yard waste. Some require specific types of bags to beused. The result is that more and more homeowners have to rake, sweep,and bag yard waste and debris. In order to collect leaves, weeds, grassclippings, tree clippings, and other flora debris, a person usuallyneeds to use one of the methods briefly discussed, above. The repetitivebending, while lifting, is the cause of most of the back pain. Eventhough most yard waste is not heavy in the conventional sense, repeatedstooping and lifting fatigues the back, causing back pain.

Many tools and solutions have been created to address this problem. Theinternet abounds with alleged solutions. However, none of the tools oradvertisements work. That is because all of the solutions, no matter howwell-intentioned, still require some amount of stooping and lifting inorder to collect yard waste and debris.

An ideal solution to collecting yard waste would be a tool that alloweda person to collect such waste without bending or stooping. Such a toolmust also be light weight and ergonomically correct. Lastly, such a toolwould need to be inexpensive. For although people seem to spendsignificant money on rehabilitating their back, after getting back pain,they don't seem to be enamored with spending money for tools thatprevent back pain.

PRIOR ART REVIEW

There is clearly a market demand for an inexpensive, light weight yardwaste collection device that minimizes lifting and stooping. There havebeen many attempts to create yard waste collection devices, but all ofthem fall far short of the market need.

For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,697,030, by named inventor Schultz,entitled, “Material Collecting Means” (“Schultz '030”), teaches a rimstructure to maintain a collection bag in the open position. AlthoughSchultz '030 makes leaf or yard waste collection a one-person job, itdoes not eliminate stooping and lifting. If anything, Schultz '030, andother similar products that require the leaves or waste be verticallydropped into a bag or trashcan, exacerbates the stooping and liftinginherent in the collection of yard waste and debris.

There are many similar products and patents to Schultz '030, which teachsome sort of frame to hold open a leaf bag: U.S. Pat. No. 7,546,989,entitled, “Leaf bagging apparatus,” by named inventors Lineberry et.al., teaches a bag frame opening that lays flat on the ground; U.S. Pat.No. 6,994,301, entitled, “Leaf bagger,” by named inventor Fox teaches avariation of a triangular bag holder frame; U.S. Pat. No. 5,393,022,entitled, “Multi-compartment debris and leaf bag holder and assembly,”by named inventor Palumbo teaches using multiple frames, placed on theirside, with bags; U.S. Pat. No. 5,180,126, entitled, “Leaf caddy,” bynamed inventor Bennett, teaches another variation on a bag frame; andU.S. Pat. No. 4,846,427, entitled, “Lawn and leaf bag frame,” by namedinventor Jones, teaches a bag insert that mates with a frame.

The prior art has many examples of marrying a frame with a pole, toenable the user to rake the leaves into an open bag. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 7,708,236, entitled, “Method and apparatus for collecting yarddebris,” by named inventor Romero, teaches a variation of a triangularframe on a pole for raking leaves into bag; U.S. Pat. No. 7,374,135,entitled, “Method and apparatus for collecting yard debris,” by namedinventor Romero, teaches a variation of a triangular frame on a pole forraking leaves into bag; U.S. Pat. No. 6,520,554, entitled, “Yardsweepings collection device,” by named inventor Ditzik, teaches avariation of a triangular frame on a pole for raking leaves into bag;and U.S. Pat. No. 3,942,832, entitled, “Leaf collector,” by namedinventor Haas, teaches a variation of a triangular frame on a pole forraking leaves into bag. Although an improvement over traditional methodsof raking leaves, these solutions still seem to be ergonomicallyimperfect, still requiring a lot of stooping and sustained holding.

There is substantial prior art in which the inventor uses a chute orramp to route the leaves and yard debris into a bag. For example, U.S.Pat. No. 5,000,406, entitled, “Apparatus for catching leaves or otherdebris,” by named inventor Petersen, teaches a truncated parallelepipedchute with bag retainer and handle; U.S. Pat. No. 4,971,274, entitled,“Combination holder for disposable leaf and rubbage bags and yard tool,”by named inventor Mitchell, teaches a dustpan-like leaf chute with bagopening; U.S. Pat. No. 4,723,803, entitled, “Leaf bagging device,” bynamed inventor Sapp, teaches a dust-pan like handle with bag and angledchute; U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,559, entitled, “Scoop for gathering leaves,grass, debris and the like,” by named inventor Gainley, teaches achute-shaped scoop that captures leaves; U.S. Pat. No. 7,815,153,entitled, “Leaf catcher,” by named inventors Campbell, et. al., teachesa leaf collector that lays on the ground and has several projectionsthat create a wide chute; U.S. Pat. No. 6,983,965, entitled, “Leafcollecting system,” by named inventor Bergell, teaches a chute to beplaced in over-turned trash can; U.S. Pat. No. 6,708,742, entitled,“Leaf and debris chute,” by named inventors Weathers, et. al., teaches achute with a bag retainer feature; U.S. Pat. No. 5,915,768, entitled,“Yard waste bagging means,” by named inventor Young, teaches a chutethat fits into turned-over trash-can like receptacle. There are manyother sources of prior art which teach or disclose the use of a ramp orchute in order to collect leaves, but any further recitation would bemerely cumulative.

There is even prior art related to pooper-scoopers, although these arefundamentally different devices. For example, U.S. Design Pat. No.D333,888, entitled, “Scoop for picking up pet droppings,” by namedinventor Visser (“Visser '888”), teaches a pooper-scooper that has abeveled ramp, parallel side-walls, and an elevated opening at the rearto allow the feces to be properly dumped and disposed. Visser '888 wouldbe inadequate for collecting leaves, because it is too small, has nomeans for connecting a bag to the rear opening, and it appears to haveits handle attached near the center of gravity. Visser '888 also appearsto be constructed from several pieces of what is presumably metal. Thismakes it impractical to scale up to the size needed to collect leaves.

Although substantial prior art exists to help bag leaves and other yardwaste, none of the prior art significantly reduces or eliminates thestooping or lifting that ultimately leads to back pain. The market isstill searching for a suitable solution, as evidenced by the fact that,although there have been many inventions in the public domain fordecades, none of them seem to have acquired any significant markettraction. The ideal tool will collect yard waste without requiring theuser to bend, stoop, or lift. In order to be attractive to the market,such a solution also needs to be economical and lightweight.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This summary is intended to disclose the present invention, a yard wastecollection device. The embodiments and descriptions are used toillustrate the invention and its utility, and are not intended to limitthe invention or its use.

The present invention relates to hand implements used to performlandscaping, such as the collection of leaves and other lightweight,ground-based debris. The present invention is a hand implement thatallows the user to easily rake yard debris into a bag. In its primaryembodiment, the present invention has an integral body, a handle, andhardware with which to fix a bag about the posterior opening.

The integral body has a single continuous interior surface and a singlecontinuous exterior surface. The integral body has a substantiallyplanar base that rests on the ground when in use. The exterior surfaceof the substantially planar base rests on the ground when the inventionis in use. The interior of the substantially planar base is used tocollect debris and leaves. At a minimum, the substantially planar basehas open, anterior free edge that is wider 18″. Preferably, thesubstantially planar base has an anterior free edge that is wider than atypical 24″ yard rake. The free edge is beveled, in order to help withraking or sweeping debris onto the interior surface of the substantiallyplanar base. One end of the anterior free edge terminates at a firstside wall; the other end of the free edge terminates at a second sidewall. Therefore, the free edge has opposing terminations at a side wall.The first side wall and the substantially planar base are contiguous;the second side wall and the substantially planar base are contiguous.The first side wall and the second side wall extend upwardly from thesubstantially planar base. The first side wall has an interior surfaceand an exterior surface. The second side wall has an interior surfaceand an exterior surface.

The integral body has a posterior opening, opposed to the anterior freeedge. The posterior opening is defined by at least one plane shape. Aplane shape is a closed, two-dimensional figure. The posterior openingcan also be defined by two plane shapes. In this embodiment, the twoplane shapes of the posterior opening are attached by a continuousinterior surface and a continuous exterior surface. Examples of a planeshape are circles, squares, rectangles, and ellipses. There is norequirement that the posterior opening be a well-known plane shape suchas a circle. The at least one plane shape can be any closed,two-dimensional figure. On the exterior side of the posterior opening,disposed away from the anterior free edge, is a rim surrounding theopening. The rim has hardware for clamping or capturing a yard-waste ortrash bag to the rim, and holding it in place. The rim may be defined bya groove in the integral body.

In the primary embodiment, each of the first side wall and the secondside wall are substantially orthogonal to the substantially planar base.This means that the first side wall and the second side wall arecontiguous with the substantially planar base, and approximately form aright angle with respect to the substantially planar base. A fillet mayprovide a transition from the substantially planar base to each of thefirst side wall and the second side wall.

The present invention includes capturing hardware such as spring-clamp,retaining ring, spring-steel retaining clips, or bungy cord. Thecapturing hardware secures a collection bag to the rim on the exteriorside of the posterior opening.

The present invention has a handle. In an alternative embodiment, thehandle telescopes, to allow a person to use the present inventionwithout bending over. In another alternative embodiment, a captivehandle can be integrally molded into the integral body. In oneembodiment the handle is attached orthogonally to the top of theintegral body, near the posterior opening. This is done so that thehandle is near the center of mass, when the present invention has a fullbag of yard debris. In this way, the invention will tip towards theanterior free-edge when there is no debris in the bag. However, theinvention will be balanced when the bag is full. In an alternativeembodiment, the pole may be attached near the center of the integralbody at an acute angle with respect to the rear of the integral body. Inthis way, the integral body will once again tilt towards the anteriorfree-edge when there is no debris in the debris bag. However, theinvention will be balanced due to the weight and torque angle of thehandle when the debris bag is full.

The integral body is constructed from a stiff, lightweight,environmentally durable material such as poly(methyl-methacrylate)(“PMMA” or tradenames Plexiglass or Lucite®), polycarbonate (“PC” ortradename Lexan®), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”),polypropylene (“PP”), high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low-densitypolyethylene (“LDPE”), steel, zinc, or aluminum. This is done so thatthe integral body is light enough to be manipulated with one hand by auser. Common methods to further reduce the weight of molded plastic canbe used, such as adding glass beads, flue ash, or foaming the plastic.

The user rakes leaves into the integral body, by raking them past thebeveled anterior free edge and onto the interior surface of thesubstantially planar base. The leaves and yard waste will then passthrough the posterior opening and into the collection bag because (1)further leaves and debris raked onto the interior surface of thesubstantially planar base will displace them, forcing them through theopening and into the collection bag; (2) the user will push the leavesand debris through the opening with the rake or other hand heldimplement; or (3) the user will raise the anterior free edge above theopening and collection bag, allowing gravity to pull the leaves into thecollection bag.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention is illustrated with 18 drawings on 14 sheets.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the same embodiment of the present inventionas shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the present invention as shownin FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a first alternative embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 5 is a reverse perspective view of the first alternative embodimentof the present invention as shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the first alternative embodiment of the presentinvention of the alternative embodiment of the present invention asshown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second alternative embodiment of thepresent invention with a leaf bag attached.

FIG. 8 is a reverse perspective view of the second alternativeembodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached.

FIG. 9 is a side view of the second alternative embodiment of thepresent invention with a leaf bag attached.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a third alternative embodiment of thepresent invention with a leaf bag attached.

FIG. 11 is a reverse perspective view of the third alternativeembodiment of the present invention with a leaf bag attached.

FIG. 12 is a side view of the third alternative embodiment of thepresent invention with a leaf bag attached.

FIG. 13 is an in situ view showing the relative size of the secondalternative embodiment of the invention to a user.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a clamping means for the presentinvention.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clampingmeans for the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the same alternative embodiment of theclamping means for the present invention as shown in FIG. 15, with theretaining hoop articulated.

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clampingmeans for the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a clampingmeans for the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following descriptions are not meant to limit the invention, butrather to add to the summary of invention, and illustrate the presentinvention, by offering and illustrating various embodiments of thepresent invention, a yard waste collection device.

FIGS. 1-3 show a first embodiment of the present invention 11, a yardwaste collection device. The present invention 11 has an integral body14, fabricated from poly(methyl-methacrylate) (“PMMA” or tradenamesPlexiglass or Lucite®), polycarbonate (“PC” or tradename Lexan®),acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polypropylene (“PP”),high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), low-density polyethylene (“LDPE”),steel, zinc, or aluminum. The present invention 11 has to be lightweightin order to be lifted with one arm by a user to collect leaves and otheryard debris. Due to the substantial size of the integral body 11, asfurther detailed in this section, the material needs to be lightweight.

The integral body 14 has an interior surface 6 and an exterior surface7. The integral body has a substantially planar base 5, a first sidewall 3, a second side wall 1, and a top wall 4. An angled anchor 8 isaffixed to the top wall 4.

The integral body 14 has several discernible features. The integral bodyhas a substantially planar base 5 connected to a first side wall 3, anda second side wall 1. The substantially planar base 5 is contiguous withboth the first side wall 3 and the second side wall 1. The side walls 1,3 have a height 20. The height 20 of the side walls 1, 3 is at least12″. In many embodiments, it is preferable for the height 20 of the sidewalls 1, 3 to be at least 16″. The angle between the substantiallyplanar base 5 and the first side wall 3 is substantially orthogonal,although that is not a requirement of the present invention 11. Theangle between the substantially planar base 5 and the second side wall 1is substantially orthogonal, although that is not a requirement of thepresent invention 11. The angle between the substantially planar base 5and the side walls 3, 1 can also be slightly obtuse, or slightly acute.

Because the substantially planar base 5 is part of the integral body 14,the substantially planar base 5 has an interior surface 5 and anexterior surface (not shown). The first side wall 3 has an interiorsurface (not visible) and an exterior surface 7. The second side wall 1has an interior surface 6 and an exterior surface (not visible).

The substantially planar base 5 has an anterior free edge 2. Theanterior free edge 2 has a first end 12 that terminates at the firstside wall 3. The anterior free edge 2 has a second end 13 thatterminates at the second side wall 1. The anterior free edge 2 has alength 21 between the first end 12 and the second end 13. The length 21of the anterior free edge 2 is at least 18″. In certain embodiments, itis preferable for the length 21 to be greater than 24″, the approximatewidth of a standard leaf rake. A beveled surface transitions between theinterior surface 5 of the substantially planar base 5 and the anteriorfree edge 2.

The integral body 14 has a posterior opening 15. The posterior opening15 is defined by at least one plane shape 15, in this case, a rectangle15. A groove 10 defines a rectangular cubic rim 9 visible on theexterior surface of the integral body 14. A debris bag (see FIG. 4, 370)can be attached to the rim 9 by placing the debris bag 370 over the rim9 and groove 10 and wrapping a bungy cord (not shown) around the device11, or using other hardware to capture the debris bag 370.

The present invention 11 has a handle 30 attached to the integral body14 at an angled anchor 8 on the top wall 4. The handle 30 has a screwattachment 32 at one end. The handle 30 has a shank 31 with a diameter33. The angled anchor 8 has a screw receptacle. By attaching the handle30 to the integral body 14 at the angled anchor 8 at the screwreceptacle, a torque angle is created. The handle 30 creates an acuteangle with the top wall 4 towards the posterior opening 15. When thereis no debris bag 370, the present invention will tilt forward, towardsthe anterior free edge 2. When a debris bag 370 is attached and filled,the present invention 11 will be balanced. Alternately, the angledanchor 8 provides a hand-hold that can be used by a user to manipulatethe integral body 14 directly, allowing the user to lift and empty theintegral body 14.

FIGS. 4-12 show three alternative embodiments of the present invention211, 311, 411, a yard waste collection device with an integral body 250,350, 450. The integral body 250, 350, 450 has a substantially planarbase 212, 312, 412 connected to a first side wall 215, 315, 415, and asecond side wall 238, 338, 438. The substantially planar base 212, 312,412 has an interior surface 212, 312, 412 and an exterior surface 229,329, 429. The first side wall 215, 315, 415 has an interior surface 215,315, 415 and an exterior surface 228, 328, 428. Like the first sidewall, 215, 315, 415, the second side wall 238, 338, 438, has an interiorsurface (not visible) and an exterior surface 238, 338, 438. The threeembodiments in FIGS. 4-12 do not have a top wall or surface. The firstside wall 215, 315, 415 has a top edge 220, 320, 420. The second sidewall 238, 338, 438 has a top edge 221, 321, 421.

The substantially planar base 212, 312, 412 has an anterior free edge214, 314, 414. The anterior free edge 214, 314, 414 terminates at thefirst side wall 215, 315, 415 at a first end 260, 360, 460. The anteriorfree edge 214, 314, 414 terminates at the second side wall 238, 338, 438at a second end 261, 361, 461. The anterior free edge 214, 314, 414 hasa length 21 (see e.g., FIG. 4) between the first end (see e.g., 260) andthe second end (see e.g., 261). The length 21 of the anterior free edge214, 314, 414 is at least 18″. In certain embodiments, it is preferablefor the length 21 to be greater than 24″, the approximate width of astandard leaf rake. A beveled surface 213, 313, 413 transitions betweenthe substantially planar base 212, 312, 412 and the anterior free edge214, 314, 414.

An interior edge fillet 233, 333, 433 defines the transition between theinterior surface 212, 312, 412 of the substantially planar base 212,312, 412 and the interior surface 215, 315, 415 of the first side wall215, 315, 415. Likewise, an interior fillet (not shown) defines thetransition between the interior surface 212, 312, 412 of thesubstantially planar base 212, 312, 412 and the interior surface (notshown) of the second side wall 238, 338, 438.

An exterior edge fillet 231, 232, 241, 331, 332, 341, 431, 432, 441defines the transition between the exterior substantially planar base229, 329, 429, on the one hand, and the exterior surface 228, 328, 428of the first side wall 215, 315, 415 and the exterior surface 238, 338,438 of the second side wall 238, 338, 438, on the other hand. Theexterior surface 228, 328, 428 of the first side wall 215, 315, 415 andthe exterior surface 238, 338, 438 of the second side wall 238, 338, 438are connected by an exterior curved surface 230, 330, 430.

In the three alternative embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-12, the integralbody 250, 350, 450 the posterior opening is defined by two plane shapes218, 318, 418, 248, 348, 448. A first plane shape of the posterioropening 218, 318, 418 is on the interior surface of the integral body250, 350, 450 and a second plane shape of the posterior opening 248,348, 448 is on the exterior surface of the integral body 250, 350, 450.The posterior openings 218, 318, 418, 248, 348, 448 are all defined by aplane shape 218, 318, 418, 248, 348, 448. In FIGS. 4-6, the posterioropenings 218, 248 are connected with an interior cylindrical surface224. In FIGS. 7-9, the posterior openings 318, 348 are connected with aninterior cylindrical surface 324. In FIGS. 10-12, the posterior openings418, 448 are connected with an interior cylindrical surface 424. In thiscase, the plane shapes 218, 318, 418 and 248, 348, 448 are circles, andthe interior surface connecting the two plane shapes are cylinders 224,324, 424.

A first interior edge 219, 319, 419 provides the transition between theinterior surface 215, 315, 415 of the first side wall 215, 315, 415 andthe interior surface (not visible) of the second side wall 238, 338,438. The first interior edge 219, 319, 419 defines the lower boundary ofthe posterior opening 218, 318, 418 on the interior surface of theintegral body 250, 350, 450. A semi-cylindrical top surface 222, 322,422 connects the first side wall 215, 315, 415 with the second side wall238, 338, 438. The first interior edge 219, 319, 419 is contiguous witha second interior edge 245, 345, 445 of the semi-cylindrical top surface222, 322, 422. Together the first interior edge edge 219, 319, 419 andthe second interior edge 245, 345, 445 define the plane shape 218, 318,418 of the posterior opening 218, 318, 418.

A cylindrical rim 225, 325, 425 terminates at the posterior opening 248,348, 448 in the exterior surface of the integral body 250, 350, 450. Thecylindrical rim can be truncated like 225 or extended like 325, 425. Theextended cylinder 325 can either be parallel to the substantially planarbase 312, or the extended cylinder 425 can be angled with respect to thesubstantially planar base 412. For the first alternative embodiment inFIG. 5, the rim 225 has an edge 226. For the second and thirdalternative embodiments, in FIGS. 8 and 11, respectively, the rim 325,425 edge is obscured by a retaining ring 360, 460, used to hold astandard lawn or leaf bag 370, 470. The cylindrical rim 225, 325, 425 isthe external cylindrical surface 225, 325, 425 corresponding to theinterior cylindrical surface 224, 324, 424 of the posterior opening 248,348, 448.

The present invention 211, 311, 411 has a handle 223, 323, 423 attachedto the integral body 250, 350, 450 by a handle shank 227, 327, 427. Thehandle shank 227, 327, 427 is attached orthogonally to thesemi-cylindrical top surface 222, 322, 422. The handle shank 227, 327,427 can have a telescoping feature 239, 339, 439, allowing the length ofthe handle shank 227, 327, 427 to be adjusted. The handle 223, 323, 423is attached near the posterior opening 211, 311, 411, meaning that theintegral body 250, 350, 450 will tend to tilt forward, towards theanterior free edge 214, 314, 414 when lifted by the handle 223, 323,423, while empty. When the debris bag 370 is full, the integral body250, 350, 450 will tend to be balanced when lifted by the handle 223,323, 423

FIG. 13 shows an embodiment of the present invention 311 being used, insitu, by a user 600. A standard leaf bag 370 is attached to the presentinvention 311 with a retainer ring 360. The handle shank 327 is adjustedwith a telescoping feature 339 so that the grasp hand 323 is at theproper height for the user 600 to grasp it with their hand 601. Withreference to FIGS. 10-12, by angling the cylindrical rim 425 withrespect to the substantially planar base 412, a user 600 can more easilyuse gravity to dump leaves by tilting the invention. When lifting theintegral body 450 by the handle 423, while the leaf bag 370 is empty,the integral body 450 will tend to tilt forward. When lifting theintegral body 450 by the handle 423, while the leaf bag 370 is full, theintegral body 450 will tend to tilt towards the posterior opening 418,which will force the debris into the leaf bag 370 through gravity.

A standard leaf bag 370, 470 is connected to the present invention 11,111, 211, 311, 411 with hardware attached to the rim 25, 125, 225, 325,425. FIGS. 14-18 show several potential embodiments of hardware. FIG. 14shows a plurality of retaining clips 610 attached to an extendedcylindrical rim 325. The retaining clips 610 are made with spring steel,and capture a law bag 370, 470 with a friction fit.

FIGS. 15 and 16 show a hinged retainer ring 620 connected to thecylindrical rim 325. The retainer ring has a tightening screw 622, ahinge 621, and the ring, itself, 620. The retainer ring 620 captures lawbags 370, 470 with a friction fit. FIG. 17 is a variation on theretainer ring 630, in which there is no hinge. The retainer ring 630separates from the cylindrical rim 325. The retainer ring 630 captureslaw bags 370, 470 with a friction fit, and is tightened using a screw631.

FIG. 18 shows standard spring clamps 640 durably attached to thecylindrical rim 325. The spring clamps 640 hold law bags 370, 470 with afriction fit. The spring clamps 640 are opened by squeezing ordepressing the handle 641.

I claim:
 1. A yard waste collection device comprising, an integral bodyhaving a continuous inner surface, a continuous outer surface andcomprised of a substantially planar base surface with an anteriorfree-edge, a first side wall surface contiguous with the substantiallyplanar base surface and extending vertically from the substantiallyplanar base surface wherein a first end of the anterior free-edgeterminates at the first side wall, a second side wall surface contiguouswith the substantially planar base surface and extending vertically fromthe substantially planar base surface wherein a second end of theanterior free-edge terminates at the second side wall, and a posterioropening, disposed opposite the anterior free-edge, with a rim disposedon the side of the opening away from the anterior free-edge; a handleand shank; and hardware with which to mount a bag to the rim of theopening; wherein the anterior free-edge is at least 18″ in length, andthe first and second side wall are at least 12″ in height.
 2. The yardwaste collection device in claim 1, wherein the anterior free-edge is atleast 24″ in length.
 3. The yard waste collection device in claim 1,wherein the first and second side wall are at least 16″ in height. 4.The yard waste collection device in claim 1, wherein the posterioropening is defined by at least one plane shape.
 5. The yard wastecollection device in claim 4, wherein the posterior opening is definedby two plane shapes.
 6. The yard waste collection device in claim 5,wherein the two plane shapes defining the posterior opening areconnected by an interior surface.
 7. The yard waste collection device inclaim 6, wherein the two plane shapes defining the posterior opening arerectangular and the interior surface is a rectangular cubic.
 8. The yardwaste collection device of claim 5, wherein the two plane shapesdefining the posterior opening are circles and the interior surface is acylinder.
 9. The yard waste collection device of claim 8, wherein therim is cylindrical.
 10. The yard waste collection device of claim 1,wherein the integral body is further comprised of a top wall having ananterior edge, and wherein the first side wall is contiguous with thetop wall; and wherein the second side wall is contiguous with the topwall.
 11. The yard waste collection device of claim 10, wherein theintegral body is further comprised of an angled anchor affixed to thetop wall.
 12. The yard waste collection device of claim 11, wherein theangled anchor provides a hand-grasp for lifting the integral body. 13.The yard waste collection device of claim 10, wherein the handle andshank attach to the angled anchor that is affixed to the top surface ofthe integral body, forming an acute angle between the shank and the topwall in the direction of the posterior opening.
 14. The yard wastecollection device of claim 1, wherein the handle and shank attach to theintegral body in near proximity to the posterior opening.
 15. The yardwaste collection device of claim 1, wherein the integral body is moldedfrom at least one of poly(methyl-methacrylate) (“PMMA”), polycarbonate(“PC”), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (“ABS”), polypropylene (“PP”),high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”), and low-density polyethylene(“LDPE”).
 16. The yard waste collection device of claim 16, wherein, inorder to create a lightweight integral body, the at least one of PMMA,PC, ABS, PP, HDPE, and LDPE is augmented with at least one of glassbeads, flue ash, or re-grind material.
 17. The yard waste collectiondevice of claim 16, wherein, in order to create a lightweight integralbody, a gaseous substance is introduced into the least one of PMMA, PC,ABS, PP, HDPE, and LDPE in order to foam the integral body, creatingsmall air pockets within the material, wherein all of the exposedsurfaces of the integral body are smooth.